Welcome from the Rochester Area Literacy Council's President 2016-17!

​Cherie Gerychpurplran@gmail.com

June 2017

Dear Friends in Literacy,

RALC’s programming for this year culminates with our Zoo Publishing Celebration on Monday, June 19. Students who contributed writing or artwork to our latest publication, Visions, Voices and Perceptions, will be awarded a copy of this book in front of their families and teachers. This is a treasured event that we all look forward to each year.

Thanks to everyone who braved the water to “Sail into Summer” with us. We enjoyed several graduate student poster sessions and an insightful presentation by Dr. Anne Fairbrother on critical learning and teaching for social justice. Due to Dr. Fairbrother’s generosity, we will be offering a mini grant opportunity this fall for the development of a multicultural classroom library. You will also find some additional information from Dr. Fairbrother on social justice and multicultural literature attached to this email.

We have planned an exciting year ahead including Amy VanDerwater at Launching Literacy Learning in September, Ernest Morrell in November and Matt Glover in March. You can join or renew your membership in RALC now and enjoy our early bird discounts. Membership fees have been revised, so depending on your status you will pay either $20 or $25, with a $5 discount on all dues received before September 30, 2017. A paper form and online version may be found at www.rochesterarealiteracycouncil.org. Please continue to send a check until PayPal is operative.

The 2018 ballot for the New York State Reading Association’s Charlotte Awards is on our website under the Grants/Fellowships/Awards tab. Ten books are listed in each of four grade level groups for you and your students to read and vote for your favorites, with winning authors receiving their awards at the 2018 NYSRA Conference.

Speaking of books, please keep RALC in mind when you are cleaning house or checking out garage and library sales this summer so we can keep our Little Free Library shelves stocked.

Finally, it has been my pleasure to serve as your President this year, and I hope life treats you well as you enjoy your summer!

“Writing is the painting of the voice.” ― Voltaire

Cherie Gerych2016-2017 PresidentRochester Area Literacy Council

May 2017Get Caught Reading Month

Dear Friends in Literacy,

RALC ends its program year with Sail Into Summer on Wednesday, May 17, at the Rochester Yacht Club, with Dr. Anne Fairbrother speaking on “Powerful Literacy for All: Critical Literacy & Teaching for Social Justice.” Our NYSRA Fellow will present a poster highlighting her NYSRA Conference experience, and SUNY Geneseo and Roberts Wesleyan graduate students will present posters on their six very relevant research studies. Join us for hors d’oeuvres and collegiality at this enlightening event, and don’t forget to bring a book for our Little Free Libraries so you can be entered in the raffle that concludes the evening!

We are certified to provide professional development credit for your TEACH account and will send the Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) form with your event registration confirmation. Please complete two copies and bring them with you to the event for our signature. You will keep one, but the State mandates that we keep a copy in a secure file for eight years.

At our May 9th meeting, the Executive Board appointed three new Regional Representatives. We are pleased to welcome Pat Martin, Annette Schiano and Christine Treasure to the Board. They will be joining Stephanie Smyka as she enters the second year of her term, all beginning on July 1.

The Teen Book Festival on Saturday, May 20, from 8:30-5 at Nazareth College is a popular and free opportunity for your children or students to meet favorite authors of young adult literature. There are workshops throughout the day with authors signing books at the end. To learn more, visit www.teenbookfest.org and email Maryanne Barrett at barrett.maryanne@gmail.com if you can volunteer to help at RALC’s table.

Don’t forget the annual International Literacy Association Conference in Orlando July 15-17. Go to www.literacyworldwide.org for more information about this great opportunity to hear and meet your favorite literacy gurus and network with colleagues from across the country.

Visit our website at www.rochesterarealiteracycouncil.org or friend us on Facebook for calendars and updated information about our activities. “Reading is important, because if you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything.” ― Tomie dePaola

Cherie Gerych2016-2017 PresidentRochester Area Literacy Council

March 2017

Dear Friends in Literacy,

We are pleased to present our slate of Officer Candidates for the 2017-18 Council year. Most positions are unopposed, but there are two candidates for Membership Chairperson so your vote is important. The official vote will take place at our event with Lester Laminack in April, so please take a look at the candidate biographies in the attachment. Regional Representatives will be appointed by the Executive Board at a later time.

We are excited to welcome Lester Laminack on April 6, at St. John Fisher College, in partnership with Scholastic. Some of you have become more familiar with Laminack’s work by reading Writers Are Readers: Flipping Reading Instruction into Writing Opportunitiesin preparation for a group discussion that, unfortunately, was cancelled due to weather. Since most of you will be coming right from school, boxed dinners will be provided. Please register by Monday, April 3, as we need to know how much food to order.

We are finalizing details for Sail into Summer, our last event of the year, and will get that information to you very soon. This is always a more relaxed gathering at the Rochester Yacht Club with plenty of hors d’oeuvres and networking opportunities. You’ll want to keep Wednesday, May 17 open so you can join us.

Don’t forget our two Little Free Libraries! We are on a never ending mission to collect new or gently used books for all ages to keep our libraries stocked. Please bring a book or two to your next RALC event for our sites at the SWAN Community Center and the Hart Street OACES Family Learning Center. Contact Kathleen Cali at kathleen.cali@gmail.com if you are interested in helping to sponsor a Little Free Library at a new site.

We are in the process of planning next year’s programs and would love to hear of any suggestions you may have. Feel free to contact me at purplran@gmail.com.

Please visit our website at www.rochesterarealiteracycouncil.org or friend us on Facebook for updated information about our activities. Remember that you are welcome to attend any of our Executive Board meetings, and this month’s is 5-7 PM on Tuesday, March 14, at Council Rock Primary School.​Closing with some words from a wise man: “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” ― Groucho Marx

CherieCherie GerychPresident, 2016-2017Rochester Area Literacy Council

February 2017

Dear Friends in Literacy,

This month we introduce the Members’ Corner to our website and newsletters. Carol St. George, Assistant Professor at the U of R Warner School of Education, asks us to join her in promoting “The Love for Reading Day” on February 14. With the theme Share Your Love for Reading with a Child, we are encouraged to share photos of ourselves reading aloud to children on social media, using the hashtag #read4luv. Find more at https://www.warner.rochester.edu/newsevents/story/1898. Also in the Members’ Corner Dr. Carole Pelttari of Brockport’s Literature, Literacy, and Culture Program announces the exciting Study Abroad Summer 2017: Scotland. You can contact her at cpelttar@brockport.edu or go to www.brockport.edu/studyabroad to learn more.

On February 4 we enjoyed a morning of renewal and rejuvenation as we listened to and shared ideas and passions with colleagues. The RALC Executive Board thanks all who came out on that cold Saturday morning for your participation and your dedication to literacy.

Please consider running for office as a member of the RALC Executive Board for 2017-2018. Meetings are held after school once a month from September to June, with the addition of a summer retreat. You will find officer positions and responsibilities in RALC Bylaws under the “Home” tab on our website: www.rochesterarealiteracycouncil.org. You should contact President Elect Lee Ann Townsend at ltownsend@penfield.edu by February 17, if you are interested.

There’s still time to sign up for our discussion of Lester Laminack’s book, Writers are Readers. This free event meets on Wednesday, March 8, from 4:30-5:45 at the Brighton Memorial Library. We still have a few copies of his book to give away if you register this week, and we will arrange to get it to you prior to the 8th. (Registration form attached)

Set aside Thursday, April 6, to spend an evening with Lester Laminack at St. John Fisher College. We realize most of you will be coming right from school, so boxed dinners will be provided. Please register by Monday, April 3, as we need to know how much food to order. (Registration attached)While you are doing your spring cleaning at home or at school, you may want to bring a new or gently used book to your next RALC event for our Little Free Libraries at the SWAN Community Center and the Hart Street OACES Family Learning Center. Contact Kathleen Cali at kathleen.cali@gmail.com if you are interested in helping to sponsor a new Little Free Library.

Please visit our website at www.rochesterarealiteracycouncil.org or friend us on Facebook for updated information about our activities. Remember that you are welcome to attend any of our Executive Board meetings, and this month’s is 5-7 PM on Tuesday, February 14, at Council Rock Primary School.

Until next month, enjoy your well-earned February break and remember, “You’re never too old, too wacky, to wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.” Dr. Seuss

Cherie​Cherie GerychPresident, 2016-2017Rochester Area Literacy Council

January 2017

Dear Friends in Literacy,

Every New Year brings fresh new expectations, opportunities, and ideas to each of us. The Rochester Area Literacy Council hopes to meet some of your professional development goals with the events we have planned over the next several months.

I would first like to invite you to consider serving as an officer on the RALC Executive Board for the 2017-2018 program year. As our Bylaws dictate, we must elect officers in March of each year for the term beginning July 1. If you are interested in submitting your name for the proposed slate of candidates, please contact Lee Ann Townsend, President Elect at ltownsend@penfield.edu by February 17.

Live Local Literacy takes place on Saturday, February 4, from 9 AM-12 PM at the French Road Elementary School. You may select two sessions from the many offerings on successful practices to learn from and share with colleagues. Yes it’s a Saturday morning, but we will provide the coffee and some breakfast items to help you through, and I am sure you will come away feeling rejuvenated by the morning as participants have in the past. A flyer and separate registration form are available on our website and are attached to this email.

As you know, membership has its perks. In preparation for Lester Laminack’s visit in April we are meeting to discuss one of his books, Writers are Readers. Please join us on Wednesday, March 8, from 4:30-5:45 at the Brighton Memorial Library for this event. Not only is there no fee to register, but the first 20 members to sign up will also receive a freecopy of the book! Please register by Friday, January 27 to take advantage of this offer.

Set aside Thursday, April 6, to spend an evening with Lester Laminack at St. John Fisher College. We realize many of you will be coming right from school, so boxed lunches will be provided.

We will close out the school year with our annual Sail into Summer event on Wednesday, May 17, at the Rochester Yacht Club. This is an opportunity to gain new insights, network and socialize in a more relaxed setting.

I would like to remind you to consider bringing a new or gently used children’s or young adult book to your next RALC event so we can keep our Little Free Library at the SWAN Community Center stocked and continue to promote the love of reading with our young people.

Please visit our website at www.rochesterarealiteracycouncil.org or friend us on Facebook for updated information about our activities. Remember that you are welcome to attend any of our Executive Board meetings as listed on the website. Due to inclement weather, this month’s meeting was postponed until 5 PM next Tuesday, January 17, at Council Rock Primary School.​“Each New Year, we have before us a brand new book containing 365 blank pages. Let us fill them with all the forgotten things from last year—the words we forgot to say, the love we forgot to show, and the charity we forgot to offer.” ― Peggy Toney Horton

CherieCherie GerychPresident, 2016-2017Rochester Area Literacy Council

December 2016

Dear Rochester Area Literacy Council Member,

WOW! NYSRA’s Annual Conference 2016 in Rochester was a huge success thanks to you and your colleagues! Over 800 participants attended 95 sessions with local, state and nationally renowned speakers and authors. I hope you left your feedback, as it will provide valuable information to the planning committees of future conferences.

Live Local Literacy takes place on Saturday, February 4. This event is always well attended and participants enjoy two sessions selected from the program offerings. Please consider sharing your expertise with colleagues at this popular annual event. I have attached our Call for Proposals Formwhich is due to Lee Ann Townsend at ltownsend@penfield.edu by December 20, 2016. We would love to hear from you!

Set aside April 6, 2017 to spend an evening with Lester Laminack at St. John Fisher College. We are preparing for his visit with an “All RALC Reads” book discussion. Check our website for more details coming soon.

As you are aware, we now have a Little Free Library outside the Southwest Area Neighborhood Association Center (SWAN), 275 Dr. Samuel McCree Way in Rochester thanks to Boy Scout Joe Cali and Troop 350 of Henrietta, NY. As you weed through your children’s home libraries, consider bringing a new or gently used children’s or young adult book to your next RALC event so we can keep this venue stocked and continue to promote the love of reading with our young people.

Please visit our website at www.rochesterarealiteracycouncil.org or friend us on Facebook for updated information about our activities. Remember that you are welcome to attend any of our Board meetings, and our next one is 5 PM on Tuesday, December 13, at Council Rock Primary School.

The RALC Executive Board and I wish you safe and happy holidays!

Until next year,

Cherie

Cherie GerychPresident, 2016-2017Rochester Area Literacy Council

November 1, 2017

Dear Rochester Area Literacy Council Member,

Fall has finally arrived, bringing a flurry of events of interest to anyone advocating for literacy. On October 22, 40 students, along with their parents and teachers took part in our fourth annual Children’s Writer and Illustrator Workshop . Participants chose three sessions from the 17 presentations offered to learn more about developing fiction and nonfiction pieces as they prepare to submit work to this year’s publication, Voices, Visions, Perceptions. Find guidelines for submissions, due March 10, on our website, www.rochesterarealiteracycouncil.org. Writing and artwork are welcome from all students.

Our first Little Free Library is in place outside the Southwest Area Neighborhood Association Center (SWAN), 275 Dr. Samuel McCree Way in Rochester thanks to Boy Scout Joe Cali and Troop 350 of Henrietta, NY. Books for students of all ages await eager readers. Please consider bringing a new or gently used children’s or young adult book when you come to your next RALC event so we can keep this project going. Check out the photos on our website!​

Join us for a special meeting on Tuesday, November 8, to collectively review and submit our thoughts as an organization on the new draft of the New York State Common Core Standards. We will convene from 4-6 PM at the Irondequoit Public Library, 1290 Titus Avenue, Rochester, NY 14617.

The Children’s Book Festival is November 12, at Monroe Community College and Maryanne Barrett, one of our Regional Representatives, is looking for volunteers to sit with her at our RALC table. This is a great opportunity for meeting families, networking, and promoting our publishing project. Please let me know if you are interested in helping out, or contact Maryanne at barrett.maryanne@gmail.com.

Congratulations to Mary Kokinda who is attending the 2016 Annual New York State Reading Association Conference compliments of RALC! Mary took us up on our Fellowship offer by completing a brief application. This year’s Conference, The Power of Literacy, is November 13-14 at the Hyatt Regency downtown. It’s not too late to register for a jam-packed two days with your literacy idols. You will find a link to the Conference at our website, or visit www.nysreadingassociation.com/conference2016.

RALC is pleased to announce that we are an approved Sponsor of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) and will be granting certificates at our events to credit you with professional development hours.

We will be inviting you to share your expertise with peers and/or learn new methods and strategies for your instructional toolbox at Live Local Literacy in February. Be on the lookout for the Request for Proposals coming soon.

Set aside April 6 to spend an evening with Lester Laminack. We will be preparing for his visit with an “All RALC Reads” book discussion. Check our website for forthcoming details.

Here we are, back at school and ready to face the challenges each new year brings. We at RALC are prepared to assist you and keep you refreshed with opportunities for professional development and networking planned for the 2016-17 school year. We open our year on October 1, with Launching Literacy Learning and John Strazzabosco speaking about the effects of poverty on literacy. (See attached flyer and register by September 23.) Please bring a new or gently used children’s or young adult book to this event for our Little Free Library being built by a local boy scout for a city neighborhood. On October 22, we sponsor a Children’s Writer and Illustrator Workshop (see attached flyer) where students can meet with local experts to refine their work in preparation for our annual publishing project. Perhaps you would like to share your writing or artistic talent with children or peers, or mentor a young person creating a piece for this year’s publication, Voices, Visions, Perceptions.

This year we are honored to host the New York State Reading Association Annual Conference, The Power of Literacy, November 13-14 downtown at the Hyatt. You won’t want to miss Lucy Calkins, Nikki Grimes, Ernest Morrell, Kelly Gallagher, Linda Sue Park, London Ladd, or Amy VanDerwater along with many other national and local literacy leaders. Added features you might choose to take advantage of are special two-hour Institutes on Monday afternoon with Laura Robb or Dr. Timothy Shanahan. Register by October 1 to receive a discount on the two days that includes Monday’s luncheon with Nell Duke. You can find a link to the Conference at our website, or visit www.nysreadingassociation.com/conference2016. You may also submit an application to attend as a NYSRA Fellow. This year RALC will cover the registration of two lucky members, so check out the attached application form.

For LiveLocal Literacy on February 4, 2017 you will be invited to share your expertise with peers and/or learn new methods and strategies for your instructional toolbox. Lester Laminack comes on April 6, and we are planning to prepare for his visit with an “All RALC Reads” book discussion. We will complete our year with the ever popular Sail into Summer at the Rochester Yacht Club on May 17.Don’t forget to renew your membership in order to take advantage of special pricing and members only benefits. The RALC Executive Board and I are looking forward to an exciting and productive 2016-2017 year. Please visit our website at www.rochesterarealiteracycouncil.org for more information about membership and our activities. See you on October 1! ​Best regards,CherieCherie GerychPresident, 2016-2017Rochester Area Literacy Council

August 2016

Dear Rochester Area Literacy Council Member,

I hope you have been enjoying our very real summer with all its sunshine and wonderful breezes. Yet very soon we will be heading back to our classrooms and greeting our new groups of students. As incoming President of RALC I would like to remind you to renew your membership in order to take advantage of the opportunities for professional development and networking we have planned for the 2016-17 school year. You “Early Birds” who register by August 31 will receive a discounted membership fee, and groups of five can join for only $100! Membership forms are available at www.rochesterarealiteracycouncil.org.

So, what do we have in store for you? To start we will Launch Literacy Learning on October 1, with John Strazzabosco speaking on the effects of poverty on literacy. On October 22, we sponsor a Children’s Writer and Illustrator Workshop where students can meet with local experts to refine their work in preparation for our annual publishing project. We are also considering workshops specifically for teachers interested in becoming more effective in writing instruction. Perhaps you would like to share your writing or artistic talent with children or peers. You will be invited to share your expertise with peers and/or learn new instructional methods and strategies during Live Local Literacy on February 4; Lester Laminack comes on April 6; and we finally Sail into Summer at the Rochester Yacht Club on May 17.

We are proud to host the New York State Reading Association Annual Conference, The Power of Literacy this November 13-14 downtown at the Hyatt. As a member of RALC you automatically become a member of NYSRA and are eligible for the discounted registration fee. Early registration gives you an even better rate. You won’t want to miss out on our keynotes by Lucy Calkins, Nikki Grimes, and Nell Duke or featured speakers Ernest Morrell, Linda Sue Park, London Ladd, Amy VanDerwater, Kelly Gallagher. . .the list goes on and on! I’m sure you’ll even recognize a few local colleagues. This year you will also be able to take advantage of special two-hour Institutes on Monday afternoon with Laura Robb or Dr. Timothy Shanahan. There will also be a variety of opportunities to help out during the Conference. You’ll find a link to the Conference at our website.

If that’s not enough to convince you to renew your membership and encourage your friends to join, here are a few more perks: a subscription to NYSRA’s Reading Scene; opportunities to apply for awards and grants, including our NYSRA Fellowship covering registration cost to attend the NYSRA Conference; and perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to network and share instructional practices with fellow practitioners throughout our region and state.

Members of the RALC Executive Board and I are looking forward to an exciting and productive 2016-2017 year. Please visit our website at www.rochesterarealiteracycouncil.org for more information about your Council and our activities.

See you on October 1!​Best regards,CherieCherie GerychPresident, 2016-2017Rochester Area Literacy Council